Lions terrorise villagers

Victoria Falls Reporter
July 1, 2010



LIONS are terrorising villagers living under chiefs Shana and Mvuthu where they have killed more than 11 head of cattle.
The areas are in Hwange District in Matabeleland North Province.
In an interview on Tuesday, Chief Mvuthu said he personally lost four beasts after about five lions attacked his herd of cattle that was in a kraal two weeks ago.
He said villagers from Sikumbi, Monde and Chisuma had also lost livestock to the marauding lions.
“A pride of lions is terrorising us. Villagers have lost livestock, especially cattle, while others have lost donkeys and goats,” said Chief Mvuthu.
“We are now thinking of relocating our livestock.”
He said while he appreciated the swift response by the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority rangers in attending to the problem after they reported the matter, the rangers had not driven the animals away.
“After the attacks, we raised an SOS with Parks and they came quickly. Unfortunately they were just patrolling the main road instead of venturing deep into the bush where the lions will be hiding. So there has been some peace and tranquility but we know that it is short-lived.
“They will be back and villagers have even spotted them and we are afraid that soon they will strike again,” he said.
Chief Mvuthu added that the attacks had become seasonal as last year the lions also wreaked havoc, killing quite a number of livestock in the district.
“The problem is that there is no compensation after one loses livestock to the lions. We call upon Campfire to look into the matter and come to our rescue,” he said.